Facing a cancer diagnosis is not a great way to kick off a new year. These resolutions will make it a little bit easier.
Admit That You’re Scared
Cancer is terrifying. Your mind races. You ask yourself questions like, “Am I going to die?” You freak out worrying about all the people who depend on you, especially the kids. It’s normal. Admitting to it can help.
Grieve the Loss of Your Hair
If you, like a lot of cancer patients, face the loss of your hair because of chemotherapy, go ahead and grieve that loss. It sucks to lose your hair. People who shave their heads in sympathy are great, but the fact is that they don’t have cancer and their hair will grow back fast. You’ll be bald for a long time. And when your hair does come back, it might look completely different from the way it does now. That’s a huge loss, and it’s not shallow or vain or foolish to feel sad about it. Everyone knows that hair loss is not the worst thing about cancer. But if it’s bumming you out, know that you’re in good company. Who knows, though. You might have fun playing with new styles and colors in the meantime. And your husband might think your wigs are a turn on. But it’s your head, and you get to feel any way you want about it.
Be Willing to Accept Help
Along with having days when you feel like crap, cancer keeps you busy. You’ll have lots of appointments, paper work, prescriptions to fill, and weird supplies to buy that you can’t really anticipate. And you’ll be tired. As hard as it can be to be on the receiving end of a helping hand, put the word out that you have cancer and ask for help. Then take it.
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Have a Sense of Humor
Some aspects of cancer are funny. Watching your husband trying to put dinner on the table while kids are screaming, the toilet’s overflowing and the dog’s throwing up can be hilarious. It depends how you look at it. Instead of crying about it, vow to have a laugh. It’s a better option.
Take Lots of Naps
All that stress, all those meds, all that healing – it will wear you out. Resolve to get as much sleep as possible. That tomato sauce splashed all over your wall might be perceived as art. Maybe you’ll be famous!
Enjoy The Moment
Cancer has a way of drilling life down to what’s important, of reminding people to live in the moment. And this moment is beautiful, no matter what’s happening in it. Don’t let it slip away unnoticed.
Help Others When You Can
When your strength returns, pull the next person through. Remember your feelings, fears, dreads, your profound moments of clarity and dreams. It’ll make you better able to help the next person staring down their diagnosis. Turn the lessons you’re learning into seeds of hope for the ones to follow this path.
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